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How Much Did Vinyl Cost In The ’70s

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A phonograph record (also known as a gramophone record, especially in British English), or simply a record, is an analog sound storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove. The groove usually starts near the periphery and ends near the center of the disc.

At first, the discs were commonly made from shellac; starting in the 1940s polyvinyl chloride became common, hence the name vinyl. In the mid-2000s, gradually, records made of any material began to be called vinyl records, or simply vinyl.

So how much did vinyl cost in the ‘70s? 

Most records in the 70’s were being recorded in stereo which was a more expensive format than mono. Once that started happening, records almost tripled in price, which made them cost $6-$7.

If you would like to know more about how much the vinyl record cost in the ‘70s, please keep reading!

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Musical Influences

The ’70s are known as a time of celebration. The war had ended in Vietnam and most American patriots now wanted peace. Many music festivals were birthed in this iconic era.

Artists were able to explore themselves and the sounds that they wanted to create. Music took off as did creativity in this era. The transcendence of the sound evolved as the music progressed.

In each decade music has evolved and progressed. It was the new normal to want to be a rock/pop star. Stadiums across the world were selling out just so the fans could see their favorite artists live. Still today the ’70s and the music practices of that age influence our music and style.

The ’70s, in general, was a great age for the Americans with so many amazing inventions and discoveries taking place in every field of study. The ’60s was a more serious time and the ’70s was a time of celebration.

Age Of The Guitar

This is my favorite topic of the ’70s. With stereo becoming mainstream, artists wanted to take their playing of the guitar to the next level. The fans responded and appreciated this bold move. Many kids wanted to be just like their favorite artists! A great song remains a great song until this day. Its integrity is immortalized in that artist’s unique sound.

The greats like Jimmy Hendrix and Jim Morrison inspired kids globally to pick up these stringed instruments and try and be like their idols.

The Guitar Solo

Before the ’70s, there were a few bands, but their popularity exploded in the ’70s. The artists of the ’70s listened to their fans and drew inspiration from each other. It was a more welcoming era for music. It was also the decade of the guitar solo that became popularized by Jimmy Hendrix.

With classic songs like All Along The Watchtower, that is still one of the most searched for guitar playthrough on YouTube!

One such soloist, Jimi Hendrix, was a rarity in his field at the time: a black man who played psychedelic rock. Hendrix was a skilled guitarist, and a pioneer in the innovative use of distortion and audio feedback in his music.Through these artists and others, blues music influenced the development of rock music.

Another important blues rock guitar soloist in the 1960s and 1970s was Eric Clapton. In the early 1970s, the Texas rock-blues style emerged, which used guitars in both solo and rhythm roles (e.g., Stevie Ray Vaughan).

Icons And Music Immortals

Music and music studios had a massive influence on the artists of the decade. Music just exploded in the ’70s, artists had the freedom to explore their various likes and ideas. The artists took more of a controlling role in their music careers and the gamble paid off.

Mid 70’s groups like Queen were discovered and he definitely changed the game. His influence is still found in popular music today and he basically invented pop culture.

Birth Of Rock And Roll

Amazing things happened when the ’70s rolled around! Musicians could focus more on what they wanted to produce. With artists like Jimmy Hendrix being so well received. It gave everyone the courage to push the envelope and create what they wanted to! The ’70s was a time of great self-exploration and expression!

Bands like Queen and Mick Jagger exploded onto the scene with their no holds barred approach to the music scene. The reception was so well received and the sound was new and enticing, making girls and boys alike want to be just like these bigger than life artists.

Rock bands often have two guitarists, designated “lead” and “rhythm”, with the lead player performing the solos and instrumental melody lines while the rhythm player accompanies with chords or riffs. In some cases, two guitarists share the lead role. Most rock music is based around songs in traditional forms.

The main formal features are verses, choruses, and bridges. The guitar solo is usually the most significant instrumental section of a mainstream rock song. In other rock-related genres, such as pop and dance music, the synthesizer usually plays this role.

Hippie Era

It was a time to celebrate life and love. The energy had shifted tremendously in one short decade. People were dancing and celebrating, the hippies were preaching love not war. At festivals, you would be hard-pressed if you found a camp-site without a guitar. For the first time in a long time, the American people felt more relaxed and loving and giving.

These feelings are still echoed through the speakers whenever you play music from this era!

Whether you believe in free love or not, the 70’s feel like it was the era to be in! With the amazing leaps that music and sound made, with America coming out of a state of depression, with icons living and being discovered, their sound is immortalized forever through audio and stereo.

The 70’s thrived in the environment of peace, love and equality. Corporate America was there but didn’t have half the hold it does now. People cared about their fellow man/woman, and all they wanted to do was listen to music and preach peace.

No one bothered about anything really if you think about it. 

The 70’s was a time of self discovery. This self discovery was not only in music but in everything. Some great philosophers like Alan Watts are from this decade as well! It just felt different, like it was on the verge of greatness! It paved the way for generations to come. A time where anything was possible, and you believed it. It was the time of humanity and unconditional love. All in all a great time for culture, and music, art and love. 

Parents have made sure that these iconic artists had a role to play in their childrens life! Media had changed formats, the sound had exploded and it was felt the world over. Inspiring new generations of kids and teens to pursue their happiness. Whatever it might look like. What a time to have lived through full of peace, and love.

Conclusion

As we have seen, the ’70’s era was made up of free love and free music. The time of peace and music. No matter what your thoughts are on the 70’s there is no denying that vinyl was popular in the 70’s and it was a time of music and love for everyone alive!